The Sharks’ team doctor, enigmatic Ewoudt van der Linde, has decided to leave the union in order to pursue a new career direction, leaving the team suddenly short of a medic ahead of next year’s Super Rugby competition.
Van der Linde, who joined the Sharks in 2010 after Craig Roberts was seconded to the Boks, first rose to fame as the man responsible for performing acrobatic feats while wearing a Bulletjie costume at Loftus; after his stint as mascot, he went on to join the Bulls as their junior team doctor, before accepting a senior post in Durban. It is understood that van der Linde has been offered a registrar post, which he will take up on 1 January next year.
The Sharks have been forced to advertise for a new doctor on their website, with very little time remaining to get the right person on board ahead of the new season. We’re reliably informed that rumours suggesting Jannie du Plessis may be asked to step in temporarily are spurious 🙂
We’d like to wish “Doc” Ewoudt all the best for his new career in radiology. We’re sure that Willem Alberts will send plenty of patients his way.

He can do good bussiness if he stay in Durbs with JP, Marcell, Alberts etc. all creating some clients for him.
I think he is also the chief medical honcho for all the Extreme Fighting Championship (MMA) tournaments.
@Salmonoid (Comment 2) : he was, yes, but I think he’ll be moving on from that too
@robdylan (Comment 3) : Do you know where he will be practicing. He seemed to have the ideal job, combining his profession with high profile sports.
He must have got married.
Never knew he was the Bulls’ mascot! Good luck Doc!
Is this the same guy who diagnosed Lambie with flu during the S15, after receiving a blow to the head?